Prime mover.



F. J. MINER;

PRIME MOVERQ APPLICATION FIL BD MAR.12, 1910.

Patented Dec. 20,- 1910.

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THE NORRIS PETERS cm, wnsmnmrau, u. c

P. J. MINER.

PRIME MOVER.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 12, 1910.

979,323. Patented Dec. 20, 1910.

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hilnmlmnnmviMl I Mi UNITED STATES PATENT OFF FRANK J. MINER, OF DETROIT,MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO MINER ENGINEERING COM- PANY, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN,A CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN.

PRIME MOVER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 20, 1910.

Application filed March 12, 1910. Serial No. 548,914.

T all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK J. fvIlNER, a citizen of the United States ofAmerica, residing at Detroit, in the county of lVayne and State ofMichigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Primeliiovers, of which the following is a specification, reference being hadtherein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to a prime mover adapted to be ope 'ated by steamor other fluid, of a type wherein driving members revolve continuouslyaround a fixed center.

In general terms, a motor that embodies the invention is formed of aseries of mem bers articulated in an endless chain and arranged in acasing in such manner that a series of moving pockets are formed thereineach of which expands when it is in communication with an intake port inthe casing, under the influence of driving fluid admitted through theports 7 and S. This expanding movement moves the members and bringsanother pocket into register with the intake port. As each expandedpocket approaches an exhaust or outlet port in the casing it isconstricted by differential movement in the members. This drives thewaste fluid out through the exhaust. The mem bers are propelled by thisexpanding move ment of the pockets, and their motion is communicated toa main shaft from which power is transmitted as desired.

The invention consists in the matters hereinafter set forth, andparticularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings, Figure l is a longitudinal section through adevice embodying the invention; Fig. 2 a transverse section; Fig. 23 aninner face view of one half of the casing; Fig. l a perspective view ofone of the abutments and its stem and rock portion; and Fig. is anelevation of the device showing the inlet and exhaust pipes.

is herein shown in preferred form, a casing 1 of two oppositely disposedsections secured by marginal bolts or screws 2 or other suitable meanshas central alined bearings 3 in which a main shaft 4 is journaled. Apinion 5 is keyed or otherwise secured to this shaft. A chamber 6, thatis preferably circular in cross section is formed in the easingconcentric with the main shaft at. In contour the chamber issubstantially an ellipse with a pair of diametrically opposite straightsections. A. pair of oppositely dis posed inlet ports open into thischamber through the side of the casing each close to an end of astraight section, and outlet ports 9 and 10 are provided at alternatecorre sponding points in the casing. A series of propeller blades orabutments 11 are articulated in an endless chain sweeping this chamber.Expansion rings 12 on the abutment peripheries form a close joint withthe chamber wall. Each abutment is secured on the outer end of aninwardly extending stem 13 with a base 14 that is at right angles to theplane of the abutment. 'These bases are pivotally connected at theirends as by pins 15 in an endless chain. Cam paths 16 formed in thechamber walls around the pinion 5 are engaged by these bases in suchmanner that the abutments are held substantially perpendicular to thewall at all points in their path of travel.

As a preferable detail of construction friction rolls 17 on the ends ofthe pivot pins engage the'cam paths. The disposition of the cam paths,friction rolls, and abutment bases is such that the latter formcontinuous parallel rack bars on opposite sides of the pinion 5 when theabutment bases are traversing the straight sections of the cam paths.Rack teeth 18 are formed on the bars to mesh with the pinion 5 as thebases pass it.,

To lnsure rigidity one end of each base has a longitudinal slot 19 thatis engaged by a corresponding tongue 20 of the adjacent link. Convexshoulders 21 on the slotted end of each base have their centers ofcurvature coincident With the axis of the adjacent pivot pin 15 and mateWith similarly curved tenon shoulders 22 on the tongue end of each baseto form a tight joint and prevent the leakage of steam therethrough whenone of the bases is forced by the cam paths to assume a position atright angles to the base which is in mesh with the pinion The shank haswings 26 to reinforce the rack and to carry the abutting tenon shouldersinto such overlapping relation that a substantially steam tight joint isformed that prevents egression of steam or like propelling fluid fromthe abutment chamber. The inlet ports are connected by a header 27through which steam or like other expansible fluid under pressure isadmitted to the casing, and the exhaust ports are like wise incommunication with a common out- 1 let fitting 28.

In operation, each pair of abutments are in closest proximity and inparallel relation when they are traversing the straight sections of thechamber. At this point, any pressure between them does not separate themor alter their relative position, as both pivot rolls of each are on thestraight track and cannot move transversely. Each abutment as it leavesthe straight section of the chamber uncovers an inlet port so thatpropelling fluid under pressure is forced into the space or chamberbetween this abutment and the following one. As the forward abutment isfree to swing around the curved portion of the cam path and chamberbecause its forward pin roll can move transversely to the straighttrack, the expansion of the chambers under pressure propels this bladeforward at a greater angular velocity than the following blade which inturn uncovers the port of the succeeding chamber and is likewise forcedaround the curved end of the chamber, so that the movement forward ofthe articulated members is pract-ically continuous and unresisted, whilethe angular relation of the blades between which pressure is exertedprevents retrogade movement. As each abutment passes the exhaust port itis retarded in its angular movement and moves with less velocity thanthe following blade which thereby forces the fluid out of the chamberinto the exhaust port. This same cycle of movement is repeated as eachabutment sweeps over the second inlet port and around the other end ofthe casing so that each blade may be given two impulses for eachrevolution it makes around the chamber. By admitting steam, air, wateror gas to the exhaust ports and connecting the other ports with theexhaust, reversal of direction is readily obtained. This reversal may beaccomplished by any suitable two-way valve of conventional typeconnecting the fitting and the header. This is indicateddiagrammatically in Fig. 5 wherein such a valve 29 for shifting theportconnections is indicated.

The feature of the invention is the construction of the series ofpockets which are successively expanded by the fluid entering them fromthe inlet ports in such manner that the pocket-forming members or linkedabutments are propelled around the casing and while the constructionherein shown is preferable, any arrangement of parts which accomplishesthis result may be used. Any fluid under pressure, air, water steam orgas may be used as an operating medium.

Obviously, changes in the details of construction may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention and I do not care to limitmyself to any particular form or arrangement of parts,

What I claim as my invention is 1. In a prime mover, a casing, andmembers therein articulated together in an endless series revoluble inthe casing with which they form pockets, the members being adapted tomove diiferentially to successively expand each pocket, and beingpropelled by the expansion of the pockets under pressure of fluidadmitted thereto.

2. In a prime mover, a casing having ports, revoluble members thereinarticulated in an endless revoluble series to form a plurality ofpockets successively communicating with the ports and adapted to movedifferentially to expand each pocket as it is in register with one portand to contract it as it reaches the succeeding port, the members beingpropelled by the successive expansion of the pockets resulting from thepressure of fluid admitted thereto through the ports.

3. In a prime mover, acasing having ports, members therein articulatedtogether in an endless revoluble series to form a plurality of pocketssuccessively communicating with the ports, and means adapted to causethe members to move differentially to expand each pocket as it is inregister with one port and to contract it as it reaches the succeedingport, the members being propelled by the successive expansion of thepockets from the pressure of fluid entering them from the ports.

4c. In a prime mover, a casing having ports, members therein articulatedtogether in an endless revoluble series that form a plurality of pocketssuccessively communieating with the ports and adapted to movedifferentially to expand each pocket as it is in register with one portand to contract it as it reaches the succeeding port, and means adaptedto connect the ports severally with a source of supply of fluid underpressure, the members being propelled by the successive expansion of thepockets due to the pressure of their contents.

In a prime mover, a casing having ports, and members therein articulatedtogether in an endless revoluble series that form a plurality of pocketssuccessively communicating with one of the ports, and adapted to movedifferentially to expand each pocket as it is in register with saidport, and to contract it as it reaches the succeeding port, the portsbeing adapted to admit expansible fluid to each contracted pocket at apoint where the pressure of the fluid expands the pocket and propels themembers toward said succeeding port.

6. .ln a prime mover, a casing having ports, a series of revolublemembers articulated together therein to form a plurality of pocketssuccessively cmmnunicating with the ports and adapted to movedifferentially to expand each pocket as it is in register with one portand to contract it as it reaches a succeeding port, and means to directfluid under pressure through any port into a contracted pocket, themembers being propelled by the successive expansions of the pocketsresulting from the pressure of their contents.

7. In a prime mover, a casing having ports, and a series of revolublemembers articulated together therein to form a plurality of pocketssuccessively communicating with the ports and engaged by cam paths inthe casing to move differentially to expand each pocket as it is inregister with one port and to contract it as it reaches a succeedingport, the members being propelled by the successive expansion of thepockets resulting from expansion of fluid under pressure admittedthrough the ports.

8 In a prime mover, a casing having ports, a series of revoluble membersarticulated therein and arranged to form a plurality of pocketssuccessively communicating with the ports and engaged by cam paths inthe casing to move differentially to expand each pocket as it is inregister in one port and to contract it as it reaches the succeedingport, and adjustable means to direct fluid under pressure to any port inregister with a contracted chamber, the members being propelled by thesuccessive expansion of the pockets resulting from the pressure of theircontents.

9. In a prime mover, a casing having ports, a main shaft journaledtherein, a series of revoluble members articulated together in thecasing around the shaft to form a plurality of pockets successivelycommunicating with the ports and adapted to move difierentially toexpand each pocket as it is in register with one port and to contract itas it reaches the succeeding port, and a gear on the shaft that mesheswith rack teeth-on the members the members being propelled by thesuccessive expansion of the pockets under pressure of fluid enteringthem through the ports.

10. In a prime mover, a casing having ports, a main shaft journaledtherein, a gear on the main shaft, a series of revoluble members adaptedto mesh with the gear articulated together in the casing around the gearto form a plurality of pockets successively communicating with the portsand engaged by cam paths in the casing to move difierentially to expandeach pocketas it is in register with one port and to contract it as itreaches a succeeding port and constrained by the cam paths to mesh withthe gear, the members being propelled by the successive expansion of thepockets from the pressure of fluid admitted thereto from the ports.

11. In a prime mover, a casing having ports, a gear rotatably securedtherein, a series of revoluble members provided with gear teeth adaptedto mesh with the gear, means articulating the members in an endlesschain around the gear to form a plurality of pockets with the casingsuccessively communicating with the ports, and means adapted toconstrain the members to form a continuous rack meshing with the gearand to move diiferentially to expand each pocket as it is in registerwith one port and to contract it as it reaches the succeeding port, themembers being propelled by the successive expansion of the pocketsresulting from pressure of fluid admitted thereto through the ports.

12. In a prime mover, a casing having ports, a gear centrally rotatablein the casing, a series of revoluble members articulated in the casingaround the gear and pro vided with rack teeth, the casing coacting withthe members to form a plurality of pockets successively communicatingwith the ports, and constraining the members to move differentially toexpand each pocket as it is in register with one port and to contract itbefore it reaches the succeeding port, the members forming a continuousrack meshing with the gear, the members being propelled by thesuccessive expansion of the pockets resulting from the pressure of fluidadmitted thereto through the ports.

13. In a prime mover, a casing having ports, a gear journaled in thecasing at substantially the transverse axial center of a continuous campath in the casing wall and of a chamber in the casing substantiallyconcentric with the cam path, a series of revoluble members articulatedin an endless chain engaged by the cam path to form a plurality ofpockets in the chamber successively communicating with the ports and tomove differentially to expand each pocket as it is in register with oneport and to contract it as it reaches the succeeding port, the faces ofthe members adjacent the gear being provided with rack teeth that areconstrained to mesh with the gear by tlie cam paths, the members beingpropelled by the successive expansion of the pockets resulting frompressure of fiuid introduced thereto through the ports.

14. In a prime mover, a casing having ports, and a gear centrallyjournaled in the casing at substantially the transverse axial center ofcam paths and of a chamber in the casing substantially concentric withthe cam paths, a series of abutments arranged to form a plurality ofpockets in the chamber successively communicating with the ports andprovided with bases engaged by the cam paths, the bases and cam pathscoacting to move the abutments differentially to expand each pocket asit is in register with one port and to contract it as it reaches thesucceeding port, rack teeth on the bases, the bases forming a continuousrack, and a driving gear in mesh With the rack, the members beingpropelled by the successive expansion ot the contracted pocketsresulting from pressure of fluid introduced thereto.

15, In a prime mover, a casing having ports, a gear rotatable m thecaslng, a series of revoluble members articulated together in an endlesschain around the gear and arranged to form a plurality of pockets in achamber that is substantially concentric with the gear and provided withtoothed bases that are engaged by continuous cam paths in the casingsubstantially concentric with the chamber to form oppositely disposedparallel rack bars in mesh with the gear, the cam pathsconst mining themembers to move differentially to expand each pocket as it is inregister with one port and to contract as it reaches the succeedingport, and the members being propelled by the successive expansion of thepockets from pres sure of fluid admitted thereto.

16. In a prime mover, a casing, and differentially movable membersarticulated together in an endless series that form with the casing arevoluble series of pockets capable of expanding successively wherebythe members are propelled.

17. In a prime mover, a casing, a gear therein, an endless catenary rackmeshing with the gear and members on the rack forming with the casing aseries of chambers, the rack and members being revoluble around the gearwith variable angular velocity whereby the chambers expand successivelyand propel the rack.

18.111 a prime mover, a casing, a gear rotatable in the casing,abutments forming a series of pockets in a chamber in the casing aroundthe gear concentric with a con tinuous cam path in the casing, eachabutment having a base extended in a plane transverse to the abutmentplane, rack teeth on the base meshing with the gear, a tongue on one endof each base entering a corresponding slot in the adjacent base, and apivot pin connecting each tongue with the adjacent base and entering thecam path.

19. In a prime mover, a casing, a gear rotatable in the casing,abutments forming a series of pockets in a chamber in the casing aroundthe gear concentric with a continuous cam path in the casing, eachabutment having a base extended in a plane transverse to the abutmentplane, rack teeth on the base meshing with the gear, a tongue on one endof each base entering a corresponding slot in the adjacent base, and apivot pin connecting each tongue with the adjacent base and entering thecam path, and the tongues forming curved tenon shoulders on the basesand the bases having end faces contacting with the shoulders in allpositions of the abutments.

In testimony whereof I atlix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FRANK J. MINER.

Witnesses OTTO F. BARTHEL, LEWIS E. Fmxomzs.

